Destiny shapes our ends. Junius Richard Jayewardene (or JR as he was more affectionately called) was made for the law, but politics claimed him for its own. A scion of an illustrious family prominent in law and politics - JR served as Municipal Councillor; Member of Parliament Cabinet Minister; Leader of the Opposition; Prime Minister and First Elected Executive President of the Republic of Sri Lanka.

Much has been written about the late President by both, friend and foe, and today, on his 100th Birth Anniversary it is with a deep sense of affection that I venture to write this tribute about a man who has inspired and awed me by overcoming the multitude of hurdles and stumbling blocks that stood in his way.

My family has had close ties with the Rupesinghe's (his wife's family) and hence, Uncle Dicky (as he was then called by us) and his beloved wife have been known to me from my infancy.

It is said that in his youth, President Jayewardene excelled in sports like boxing, rugby, football, athletics and cricket but with the passing of the years it could be noted that it was his orderly, well balanced and incisive mind and persuasive speech that cleaved a path for him and prompted the execution of his ideas. His speeches held the attention of every crowd with the sensible things he said in lucid language enhanced, by his attractive and almost avuncular manner of speaking.

It was during the early years of my youth when JR led his party to a resounding victory at the General Elections of 1977 that a lasting impression was made and I became a close admirer and follower of his mainly because I found that few men in Sri Lanka's political history stood up for principle with a tenacity born of conviction as he has. Nor have there been men as he who,- bowed to party discipline and dictates at tremendous self sacrifice and at times even humiliation, without abandoning principle.

When picking his first Cabinet, the late Mr. D. S. Senanayake recognising the potential of this remarkable and dynamic young man assigned to him the important portfolio of Finance. JR proved he was equal to every opportunity for service to his country.

In 1950 he seized a chance to pioneer international co-operation to improve the economic conditions of the peoples in South and South-East Asia. It was the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers' Conference when he made a historic contribution with the idea for the Colombo Plan, of which he and Sir Percy Spender of Australia were the co-authors.

In 1951 President Jayewardene successfully countered the moves of the Soviet Union with an eloquence that reached a new dimension of wisdom in international relations.

With an unruffled calm and inspired by the tenets of the Compassionate One, the Lord Buddha, he quoted the words of the Great Teacher that, "Hatred ceases not by hatred but by love" when he spoke at the Japanese Peace Treaty Conference at San Francisco in 1951, and thereby championed the cause of Japan for a place among the free nations of the world.

His public career which spanned over half a century has been packed with interesting and historic events.

A vigorous and perceptive political strategist, yet a warm and genial personality, he was never the blind follower of the beaten track but had his own philosophy, pragmatic and suited for the times. JR has proved to his colleagues, followers as well as his critics that his patience, farsighted and conscientious approach to problem solving bear unique and far reaching fruits.

Talking to the writer on several occasions, it appeared that his greatest achievement in over half a century in politics was the revival of the party he represented after the 1956 defeat. Men of lesser stature collapse under the shock of defeat - but it was not so with JR. He reorganised the party from the grass-roots and rebuilt its shattered fortunes. Neither violence nor the croakings of critics deterred him. He would also emphasise that every individual should lead a disciplined life which he had imposed upon himself.

He was never greedy for power. For many decades he walked in the shadow of his friend, Dudley Senanayake, never shoving his way into the limelight but abided his time until the demise of Dudley when the mantle of leadership of the UNP automatically fell on him as the most senior member of the Party.

No one will deny the late President Jayewardene's eminence among world leaders. He used every means permitted to fight for the people's rights and the prosperity of the nation. Today his name ranks with the political elite of our age as an elder statesman who has carved a niche for himself in the history of Sri Lanka. A grateful nation acknowledges him as the Architect of Sri Lanka's Economic transformation.

The uncertainties of today jog our memory to the seven-year rule of the United Left Front Government from 1970-77. It was the worst times since independence - shortages, scarcities and rationing of essential items were the order of the day.

The writer as a school going youth was required to stand in un-ending queues from 5 am until an adult took over around 7 am when it was time to attend school.

The five-sixth majority at the 1977 polls underscored a nation's trust in him. This awed him. It was JR's tryst with the destiny of a nation,

Like the good physician, JR had diagnosed the ills of a nation in distress and had the remedy cut and dry as it were. He soon set about implementing his ambitious programme for economic recovery. A failed socialist economy was quickly dismantled and the open economy was put in place.

The Jayewardene regime ushered in a new era in Sri Lanka's politics as well as in economics and whatever criticism may be levelled against his tenure of office, no one can say it was barren. It has a record of service even his most malevolent critics must concede.

National economic development, self-sufficiency in food and essential needs, general and technical education and the mobilisation of youth for national development were some of the objectives vigorously pursued by the late President.

The new stable political climate and attractive investment incentives offered by the Jayewardene Government resulted in the return of foreign companies that had hitherto fled the island. It stimulated industry; it brought millions of acres under the plough; four new dams were built; it sought to repair the devastation of our forests and economy.

The Colombo Port has become one of the most efficient Ports in the world. Free Trade Zones have given employment to thousands; whole new villages sprang up all over the land; housing on a scale never before dreamed of rose in amazing number - thanks to the policies of the late President Jayewardene.

The Mahaweli Scheme which was telescoped to less than a decade, is by far his greatest achievement to put this country on the road to development in a relatively short time.

Leadership means tough constitution, it demands physical stamina, mental alertness and a resilience of spirit - JR had all these qualities to make a perfect politician.

Yet, from my own experience I found in him that rare sense of caring and deep compassion for people with stress and in difficulty, a quality found in few other politicians.

He led a simple life and eschewed luxury and personal comfort. He was never the extravagant epicurean.

A firm believer in team work and true to his principles of conduct, President Jayewardene took full responsibility for Cabinet decisions and stood by his leaders in good weather and bad. He gave his first Chief and every succeeding Prime Minister his loyal support. Unlike many other politicians of our time, he was a founder member of the party he represented until the end.

In fact, on going through records I came across a handsome tribute paid to JR by the late Sir John Kotelawala, during the short time Sir John was Prime Minister. He refers to JR's excellent example as a Cabinet Minister and says, "He was always thoroughly conversant with the problems discussed, never shirked responsibility, never sought credit for his contributions, a quality not easily found in the competitive arena of politics."

Unlike most other politicians of our times, in retirement President Jayewardene fulfilled another noble objective to uplift the knowledge of future generations by setting up the Jayewardene Cultural Centre. Most of his critics assume that this was done to perpetuate his name but the actual goal of setting up this Centre was to create a depository for historical research, archives and a library which will encourage and foster the ideals and causes which the late President cherished and championed.

The Centre houses many priceless gifts received from Heads of State and Governments during his long, arduous and distinguished career in politics. It also houses many thousands of valuable books - a ‘family treasure' inherited by the late President from his ancestors.

Despite his age, I sometimes marvelled at his indomitable courage, his single-pointed concentration and the long hours of unrelenting hard work he put in. With neither favouritism nor discrimination he upheld the highest principles of justice and fairness.

Chancellor Adenauer of Germany was elected at the age of 74 and retired at 88. General De Gaulle and Mao were remarkable men wielding power when well over 70. Winston Churchill, after winning through in the world's biggest war, continued in strenuous politics though over 80. France's Clemenceau formed his war-winning Cabinet in World War 1 at the age of 76. Hindenberg returned from retirement to win the Battle of Tannenberg and when he died as President of Germany he was 88.

Gladstone and Palmerston, Titans of the Victorian age, engaged in politics in their eighties.

Likewise, Junius Richard Jayewardene became Sri Lanka's First Elected Executive President at the age of 72 and held sway over the political scene until his demise at the age of 90, despite his retirement from active politics at the age of 84.

Few other politicians have his long reach of history, his wide study of local and international affairs, his alertness of mind - even to the end.

As the old saying goes - some are born great, some achieve greatness. Junius Richard Jayewardene was born great and achieved greatness.

If someone was to ask me who the most important Sri Lankan political figure of the twentieth century was, I would unhesitatingly say that it was Junius Richard Jayewardene.